Protesters shut down Avenida Paulista in São Paulo in new march against Bolsonaro

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Saturday, July 3, demonstrators held a protest against the government of Jair Bolsonaro on Paulista Avenue, the central region of the city of São Paulo.

Bolsonaro’s opponents know well that the impeachment process against the far-right president can only take off if there is a massive increase in pressure from the streets, and they now work to make it happen.

A nationwide action had previously been called for July 23, but the political troubles of the president, caused by allegations of corruption and bribery in the purchase of vaccines during his term, caused the organizers to bring forward the mobilization. The prior two actions took place on May 29 and June 19.

In the city of São Paulo, the concentration began Saturday around 3 PM at the São Paulo Art Museum (Masp). Half an hour later, it was already around the corner on Augusta Street. At 4:30 PM, the blockade began at Dr. Arnaldo Avenue.

SPTrans said that 20 public transport lines changed their schedules at 3 PM because of the demonstration, including those serving Pirituba, Vila Mariana, Brasilandia, Sacomã, Vila Romana, Ipiranga, Perdizes, Congonhas Airport, Santo Amaro, Grajaú, Campo Limpo, Continental Park and Barra Funda.

Organizers said the march was planned to proceed to Roosevelt Square, down Consolação Street.

The São Paulo State Public Security Secretariat (SSP-SP) set up a special program to ensure security at the demonstration. 600 police officers reinforced the patrol already present in the region of Avenida Paulista, 80 more cars and five drones.

In addition to calling for the impeachment of the president, the demonstrators demanded more vaccines and emergency aid, recalled the more than 500,000 victims of Covid-19 in the country, the alleged involvement of former Environment Minister Ricardo Salles in illegal timber exports, and positioned themselves against the printed ballot defended by Bolsonaro.

They carried placards reading “It wasn’t negotiations, it was corruption #ForaBolsonaro,” “500,000 dead, no vaccines, corruption, hunger, unemployment,” and “Amazon stands, under Bolsonaro.”

Bolsonaro, former Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello, the head of the government in the Chamber of Deputies Ricardo Barros, Councilman Carlos Bolsonaro, and the President of Congress Arthur Lira, were represented by cardboard cutouts wearing prison uniforms.

The protesters also extended large banners with the colors green and yellow, with one of them measuring 10m x 2m with the words “Bolsonaro Out”, and sound cars were positioned along Paulista, with the main one in front of Masp.

A feminist bloc organized by the PSOL Feminist Caucus, a group in the São Paulo City Council, also criticized the “sexist and misogynist speeches” of the president, saying the disastrous behavior during the pandemic has increased the rates of femicide, domestic violence, and unemployment among women.

The “Fora Bolsonaro Campaign” is an initiative of the People Without Fear Front, the Brazilian Popular Front, most leftist political parties, trade union associations, the Black Movement, student associations, the homeless movement, non-governmental organizations, and other popular movements, all signatories of the “Super Petition” to impeach him that had been submitted to Congress last week.

On Friday, July 2, the PSDB party (of Governor João Doria) confirmed to the report that it also supported the demonstration, with the presence of 2,000 members. The act was also attended by representatives of the PT, PDT, PcdoB, PSTU, PSOL, and PCO parties.

NATIONWIDE PROTESTS

Protests against President Jair Bolsonaro and in defense of vaccination against Covid-19 took place throughout Brazil on Saturday. Actions were registered in 17 states and in more than 60 cities.

In the greater São Paulo area, in addition to the demonstration on Avenida Paulista, there were actions in Carapicuíba and in Osasco.

Around the state of São Paulo, there were protests in São José dos Campos, Sorocaba,  Jundiaí, São Carlos, Araraquara, Araçatuba, Jales, Franca, Ribeirão Preto, Campinas, Piracicaba, Bauru, and Alto Tietê.

All demonstrations were peaceful and most protesters wore masks and kept a social distance due to the pandemic.